Spielberg will still direct Tintin

UPDATE: The True Hollywood Reporter ran a story earlier today about Peter Jackson taking over directorial duties on the first installment of Tintin, a film that was to supposed to be helmed by Steven Spielberg. That information has now been proven false. In a follow-up story, Spielberg has corrected the news, which originally came from Brussels' Herge Studios, home to Tintin. He says that he remains committed to directing this first film in a proposed trilogy. It will be his first directorial gig since jumping behind the lens on this summer's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Both Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg denied that there were any changes to their original plan of attack. Jackson still plans on directing the second film, and will serve as a producer on the first.

Here is the original story:

Steven Spielberg was all set to direct the first big screen installment of the iconic comic strip character Tintin. But now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Peter Jackson will helm the theatrical debut of this highly anticipated trilogy instead.

While Peter Jackson was supposed to direct the second film, it is not known whether he will continue down that path, or if another unnamed director will step in to continue the trilogy. This first Tintin episode is based on two of the original books entitled The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham's Treasure. The script is by Stephen Moffat, best known for his work on Doctor Who.

The film will be animated using new motion-capture technology. Thomas Sangster is set to play Tintin, while Andy Serkis is taking on the role of his best friend Captain Haddock. The film was originally set to be released in 2009, but we may not see it until 2010.

Shia LaBeouf's Hand Injury Written Into Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

A few short week's ago, Transformers star Shia LaBeouf was involved in a car accident that saw his SUV being flipped into the middle of an intersection. The incident caused sever damage to his left hand and left the star unable to continue filming his highly anticipated summer sequel Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. Now, according to Just Jared at Buzznet.com the actor is back at work on the set, and they have written his hand injury into the script.

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen seems to be staying on schedule, which means that, despite Shia's latest real life injury, we will still be getting the film on June 26th, 2009.

Forget Superman Returns

It was reported a few days ago that Warner Bros. was thinking of doing a complete overhaul on Superman: The Man of Steel, completely redoing the franchise. Today, the Wall Street Journal has confirmed from Warner Bros. Pictures Group president Jeff Robinov that this is exactly the path they are taking, which could be in the vein of The Incredible Hulk that essentially ignored Ang Lee's 2003 film Hulk. Here's an excerpt from the article.

Warner Bros. also put on hold plans for another movie starring multiple superheroes -- known as "Batman vs. Superman" -- after the $215 million Superman Returns, which had disappointing box-office returns, didn't please executives. "'Superman' didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to," says Mr. Robinov. "It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned." "Had 'Superman' worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009," he adds. "But now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all."

The article went on to say that Warner will be announcing its plans for future DC Comics movies next month and Robinov said that, "we're developing every DC character that we own."

The studio is set to announce its plans for future DC movies in the next month. For now, though, it is focused on releasing four comic-book films in the next three years, including a third Batman film, a new film reintroducing Superman, and two movies focusing on other DC Comics characters. Movies featuring Green Lantern, Flash, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman are all in active development.

Given the success of The Dark Knight, Robinov also said he wants this new slate of films to be darker in tone and also said he expects at least two DC tentpole releases by 2011.

"We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it," Robinov said, while adding that this would apply to Superman: The Man of Steel as well.

I'll be sure to keep you updated on Warner's upcoming DC Comics slate as well as any and all updates regarding Superman: The Man of Steel.

Tom Cruise wants Sleeper

Tom Cruise is in talks to star in Sleeper, Sam Raimi's adaptation of the DC Comics/Wildstorm comic at Warner Bros. Raimi will produce with his Star Road Entertainment partner Josh Donen, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Written by Ed Brubaker with art by Sean Phillips, Sleeper, which ran from 2003-05, centers on an operative whose fusion with an alien artifact makes him impervious to pain and allows him to pass it on to others through skin contact. He is placed undercover in a villainous organization by an intelligence agency and falls for a member of the group, named Miss Misery.

Sleeper is the third project that Cruise has become associated with over the past two weeks --all three separate from his commitments at UA. In addition to The Tourist, the actor has expressed interest in the Working Title-Universal comedy Food Fight.

No production date has been set.

First Photos of Jake Gylenhaal as Prince of Persia!

Get a look at Jake Gylenhaal as he gets ready to step into a popular video game adaptation. Just Jared has posted some new images on the set of Gylenhaal's new film, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, which is slated for a May 28, 2010 release. Click below to enlarge these images of a long-haired Gylenhaal on the set.
Movie based on the video game - set in medieval Persia, Earth's mightiest and most mysterious kingdom, where a king and his son defeat the powerful Maharajah and kidnap his daughter, looting his palace of priceless treasure, including an extravagant hourglass, and a mysterious dagger.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is currently filming in Morocco and will be released on May 28, 2010.

Remembering Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes

This week, two great celebrity passed away.

First is Bernie Mac, this news surprised me, because I thought that he was healthy, seeing last in the movies Ocean Thirteen and Transformers, wherein he sells Bumblebee to Sam Witwicky.
His role as loud mouthed car salesman was remarkable and also being one of Ocean Eleven.

Truly a big loss for the entertainment industry, Bernie Mac was only 50 years old.

Another one is Academy Award winner Isaac Hayes,who won the Oscar in 1972 for best original song for the theme from Shaft, was found unresponsive at his house by family members.

After his career-defining soundtrack for the 1971 movie Shaft, for which Hayes picked up an Oscar, three Grammy awards, a Golden Globe award, and an Edison award, Europe's highest music honor, Hayes began acting in scores of movies and television series.

His guest star appearances included TV shows The Rockford Files and Miami Vice. He also appeared in feature films such as Escape from New York and "Hustle & Flow."

Musically, he returned to the pop charts in 1986 with a new record deal with Columbia and a new album, "U-Turn".

In 1997 he began voicing the role of Chef in the animated Comedy Central cable ' series South Park, but quit in 2006, apparently because of a conflict with Scientology, a religion he followed since the mid 1990s.

In 2002, Hayes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and moved back home to Memphis, Tennessee, where he pursed business interests that flowered into two restaurants and a best-selling cookbook.

These two black person will surely be missed.

RIP Bernie and Isaac.

Lethal Weapon 5 Buzz

Maybe they're not too old for this s*&t after all... TrackingB.com, a script-tracking site, has reported that original Lethal Weapon screenwriter Shane Black has written a script for Lethal Weapon 5 and is shopping it to producer Joel Silver.

The tracking site noted that the franchise's stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are keen on returning to their roles as Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, but no contracts have been signed.

The story reportedly revolves around Riggs, who's ready to retire, but calls on his old partner, Murtaugh, to come out of retirement and solve one last case before retiring together.

Johnny Depp as the Riddler ?????????

With The Dark Knight bringing in over $400 million for Warner Brothers, it's no surprise that everyone is trying to figure out the casting of the sequel. The latest casting rumors, courtesy of WENN have Johnny Depp and Philip Seymour Hoffman being eyed for the roles of the Riddler and the Penguin, respectively.

The role of the Riddler has previously been tackled by Frank Gorshin in the television version of Batman, with Jim Carrey wearing the question-mark covered tights in Batman Forever. Meanwhile, the Penguin was handled on television by the incomparable Burgess Meredith, and a distinctively disgusting Penguin was played by Danny DeVito in Batman Returns.

A source told the Enquirer that "(Producers) are convinced that the role of the Riddler is perfect for Depp. Johnny's a pro. He'll be able to take direction from director Chris Nolan and still make the character his own. And what better Penguin is there than Philip Seymour Hoffman."

While it's hard to argue against either Depp as the Riddler or Hoffman as the Penguin, when one considers the original source, it's probably best to consider this one firmly in the 'rumor' category for now.